No filter no run fluid filtration system

ABSTRACT

A filter system including a designated filter cartridge including a geometric projection therein and a filter cartridge housing. The filter cartridge housing including a valve that controls fluid flow out of the filter system, a filter cartridge housing, and a filter cartridge housing cover. The valve may include an opening keyed to the geometric projection such that the geometric projection engages the opening and actuates the valve, and the valve may be configured to attach to the filter cartridge housing cover by a snap fit connection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/227,651, filed Mar. 27, 2014, the contents which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a fluid filtration system.

BACKGROUND

In many applications, it is desirable to have a fuel filtration systemin which the flow of fuel to an engine is prevented if no filtercartridge is installed of if an incorrect filter cartridge is installed.The operation of an engine with no filter cartridge installed or with anincorrect filter cartridge installed may result in a degradation ofengine performance or permanent damage to the engine.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments relate to a fluid filter system comprising adesignated filter cartridge including a geometric projection therein anda filter cartridge housing including flow restriction valve. Thegeometric projection may engage the flow restriction valve when thedesignated filter element is installed in the filter element housing,allowing the flow of the fluid through the fluid filter system.

These and other features, together with the organization and manner ofoperation thereof, will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawingsdescribed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a correct filter cartridge installedin a filter cartridge housing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is cross-section view of the flow restriction valve depicted inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flow restriction valve body accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a flow restriction valve according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 5 is cross-section view of the flow restriction valve of FIG. 4along line A-A.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a flow restriction valve according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flow restriction valve body accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a flow restriction valve body according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 9 is cross-section view of the flow restriction valve body of FIG.8 along line B-B.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a flow restriction valve body according toone embodiment.

FIG. 11 is cross-section view of the flow restriction valve body of FIG.10 along line A-A.

FIG. 12 is detailed view of a portion of the flow restriction valve bodyof FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is detailed view of a portion of the flow restriction valve bodyof FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a flow restriction valve gasketaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a flow restriction valve gasket according toone embodiment.

FIG. 16 is cross-section view of the flow restriction valve gasket ofFIG. 15 along line A-A.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a flow restriction valve support accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 18 is cross-section view of the flow restriction valve support ofFIG. 17 along line A-A.

FIG. 19 is cross-section view of the flow restriction valve support ofFIG. 17 along line B-B.

FIG. 20 is detailed view of a portion of the flow restriction valvesupport cross-section of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a flow restriction valve supportaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a cross-section view of a correct filter cartridge installedin a filter cartridge housing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a flow restriction valve according toone embodiment.

FIG. 24 is cross-section view of a flow restriction valve according toone embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a flow restriction valve body accordingto one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various exemplary embodiments relate to a fluid filtration system, forexample a fuel filter system, that incorporates a filter cartridge and afilter cartridge housing a flow restriction valve for the purpose ofpreventing fluid flow through the system in the absence of a filtercartridge or where an incorrect filter cartridge is installed in thefilter cartridge housing. The fluid filter system may be employed in anyappropriate vehicle or engine application. According to one embodiment,the fluid filter system may be employed in a diesel engine application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fluid filtration system is a“no filter, no run” system. A “no filter, no run” filter system is asystem designed such that fluid flow through the system is preventedaltogether or permitted in an amount insufficient to allow engineoperation when no filter cartridge or an incorrect filter cartridge isinstalled in the system. In one embodiment, the filter system may beconfigured to allow some fluid to pass through the flow restrictionvalve even when no filter cartridge or an incorrect filter cartridge isinstalled. The filter system may be configured to allow sufficient fluidto pass through the flow restriction valve to lubricate elementsdownstream from the filter system and prevent damage thereto but notallow engine operation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the filter cartridge includesgeometrical features that correspond to features of a filter cartridgehousing. For example, the filter cartridge may include a geometricprojection that corresponds to an opening of a flow restriction valveprovided in the filter cartridge housing, preventing fluid flow out ofthe filter housing in the absence of a filter cartridge with theappropriate geometric projection. In one embodiment, the opening may bea circular opening. The system may prevent the flow of fluid out of thefilter housing when an incorrect filter is installed in the filterhousing or when no filter cartridge is installed in the filter housing.Additionally, the geometric projection may ensure that the desired sealinterface between the filter cartridge and the flow restriction valve isachieved. The flow restriction valve, according to an exemplaryembodiment, exhibits improved reliability and a reduced pressure dropduring filtration.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a geometric projection of thefilter cartridge may engage with an opening in a flow restriction valveof the filter housing. The flow restriction valve may include a valveball disposed within a chamber. The ball and valve may be configuredsuch that the ball is movable in to a blocking position when fluidpressure is applied to the valve ball. The filter cartridge may includea geometric projection that acts as a blocking means that prevents thevalve ball from moving to the blocking position when a fluid pressure isapplied.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a filter cartridge 200 may be placed in afilter housing 230 that includes a filter housing cover 220. A geometricprojection 240 of the filter cartridge end plate 210 may engage anopening of a flow restriction valve attached to the filter housing cover220. The geometric projection may have any appropriate shape. In oneembodiment, the geometric projection 240 is in the form of a pin thatextends along the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge. Thegeometric projection 240 may extend from the center of the end plate210.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the filter cartridge 200 may beany suitable filter design. In one embodiment, the filter cartridge maybe a single filter design. In another embodiment, the filter cartridgemay be a double flow filter design. The filter cartridge may becylindrical. The filter cartridge may include an end plate 210 andfilter media. In one embodiment, the end plate 210 may be configured toaccommodate a flow restriction valve.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the flow restriction valveincludes a valve body 100, a valve support 110, and a valve ball 130that is configured to restrict fluid flow through the valve when nofilter cartridge 200 or an incorrect filter cartridge is installed inthe filter housing 230. The geometric projection 240 engages the openingof the valve such that the ball is prevented from blocking the flow offluid when a designated filter cartridge is installed in the filterhousing. FIG. 1 depicts the geometric projection 240 of a designatedfilter cartridge overlaid on the position of the ball 130 whenrestricting fluid flow through the valve, showing that the geometricprojection 240 physically prevents the ball 130 from restricting fluidflow out of the filter system when a designated filter cartridge ispresent.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the area between the filtercartridge 200 and the filter housing 230 defines an unfiltered fluidside of the filter system. The interior of the filter cartridge 200 maydefine a filtered fluid side of the filter system.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-21, the flow restriction valve includes avalve body 100, valve support 110, valve ball 130, and valve gasket 120,according to an exemplary embodiment. The valve body includes an opening160 keyed to the geometric projection of the designated filtercartridge. The valve support 110 may be provided with a sealing element170 to provide a fluid seal between the valve support and the filterhousing cover to which it is attached. The sealing element 170 maycomprise an o-ring. The sealing element, in conjunction with the flowrestriction valve, may be configured to separate the unfiltered fluidfrom the filtered fluid within the filter housing and filter housingcover.

The valve support may include projections 150 configured to engage thefilter housing cover. The projections 150 may be provided with anenlarged end such that the projections engage the filter housing coverand attach the valve support 110 to the filter housing cover. Theprojections 150 may have any appropriate geometry. The projections 150may be fingers or tabs. The projections 150 may include an enlarged endsuch that the projections snap fit over a corresponding feature of thefilter housing cover. The snap fit connection allows the adaptation ofthe flow restriction valve to a variety of filter systems and theretrofit of existing filter cover housings.

The valve body 100 includes fluid flow openings 140 and opening 160keyed to engage geometric projection of the filter cartridge. The valvebody 100 may include one or more enlarged projections 180. The enlargedprojections 180 may be configured such that the enlarged projections 180engage the valve support and attach the valve body 100 to the valvesupport. The enlarged projections 180 may be separated from theremaining valve body wall by voids or cut-outs to form a tab with anenlarged end. Any number of enlarged projections 180 may be provided onthe valve body. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, three enlarged projections180 may be provided on the valve body. The enlarged projections 180 maybe configured to snap fit over a corresponding feature of the valvesupport.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the valve body 100 may include bypassopenings 145. Any suitable number of bypass openings 145 may be providedin the valve body. In one embodiment three bypass openings 145 areevenly spaced around the perimeter of the valve body 100. The bypassopenings 145 may be configured to allow some fluid to pass through theflow restriction valve even when no filter cartridge or an incorrectfilter cartridge is installed. The bypass openings 145 may be configuredto allow sufficient fluid to pass through the flow restriction valve tolubricate elements downstream from the filter system and prevent damagethereto. In one embodiment, the bypass openings 145 do not allowsufficient fuel flow out of the filter system for engine operation.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the valve gasket 120 includes a passage135. The passage 135 may be keyed to the valve ball 130 such that thevalve ball may restrict fluid flow through the passage 135. The passage135 may be configured such that the valve ball 130 completely blocksfluid flow through the passage 135 when pressed against the valve gasket120. The passage 135 may have any appropriate geometry. The passage 135may have a circular geometry. Alternatively, the passage 135 may have ageometry that is different than a cross section of the valve ball 130,preventing the valve ball from completely blocking the passage 135.

FIGS. 14-16 depict the valve gasket according to an exemplaryembodiment. The valve gasket 120 may include a passage 135 that allowsthe flow of fluid. The passage may have any suitable geometry. Thepassage 135 may be a cylindrical passage extending along the centralaxis of the valve gasket 120. The valve gasket may include a flange 320and a ridge 310. The flange 320 may be configured to prevent the valvegasket from passing completely through opening 125 in the valve support.The ridge 310 may be configured to secure the valve gasket 120 to thevalve support 110. In one embodiment, the ridge 310 is configured toallow the ridge to be pressed through opening 125 in the valve support110 and to engage the valve support in a snap fit connection. The valvegasket 120 may be formed from any suitable material. For example, thevalve gasket may be formed from an elastic material.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the valve body 100 may include oneor more fluid flow openings 140. The valve body 100 may include anyappropriate number of fluid flow openings 140. In one embodiment, thevalve body includes two fluid flow openings 140. The fluid flow openingsmay be separated by one or more ribs 190. In one embodiment, two fluidflow openings 140 are separated by a rib 190. The rib 190 may beconfigured to prevent the valve ball 130 from passing through orextending too far in to the fluid flow openings. In another embodiment,The rib 190 may be configured to prevent the valve ball from blockingthe entirety of the fluid flow openings 140.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the valve body 100 may include aplurality of walls 193. The walls 193 may define the area of the valvebody 100 in which the valve ball 130 may travel. The walls 193 may haveany suitable geometry. In one embodiment, the walls 193 are parallel andextend inward from the peripheral wall of the valve body toapproximately opening 160. The end of each wall 193 that is not adjacentto the peripheral wall of valve body 100 may extend at an angle obliqueto the vertical axis of the valve body. In one embodiment, the angleformed by the end of the walls 193 and the vertical axis of the valvebody 100 is twenty degrees.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the opening 140 in the valve body mayhave a geometry keyed to the geometrical projection 240 of the filtercartridge. The opening 140 may have a geometry configured to mate to thegeometric projection 240. The opening 140 may have a conical surface.The perimeter of opening 140 may bear against the geometrical projectionin a manner that creates a seal between the valve body 100 and thegeometric projection 240.

As shown in FIG. 19, for example, the valve support 110 may include anopening 125 and partitions 195. The partitions 195 may have anyappropriate geometry. The partitions 195 extend inward from a peripheralwall of the valve support 110. The partitions 195 may be configured todelineate the area in which the valve ball may travel. The bottomsurface of the valve support 110 may include a curved surface betweenpartitions 195 above opening 125. The opening 125 may be formed in asurface of the valve support 110 that extends at an angle oblique to thelongitudinal axis of the valve support. As shown in FIG. 18, forexample, the surface in which opening 125 is formed may extend at anangle of twenty degrees from the longitudinal axis of the valve support110. The valve support 110 may include a void area 115 between theperipheral wall of the valve support and the surface of the valvesupport in which opening 125 is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 18 and 20, the valve support 110 may includeprojections 175 configured to retain a sealing element 170. Theprojections 175 may have any appropriate geometry. For example, theprojections 175 may be in the form of ribs. The ribs may extend for adistance less than the thickness of the sealing element 170 to ensurethat the sealing element bears and seals against the filter housingcover 220.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 20, the valve support 110 may include aprojection 185 configured to accept enlarged projections 180 of valvebody 100. The projection 185 may have any suitable geometry. Theprojection 185 may be configured to engage enlarged projections 180 ofthe valve body 100 in a snap fit connection.

FIGS. 22-25 illustrate an alternative embodiment. As shown in thesefigures, the filter system may include a filter cartridge 200 placed ina filter housing 230 that includes a filter housing cover 220. Ageometric projection 240 of the filter cartridge end plate 210 mayengage an opening of a flow restriction valve attached to the filterhousing cover 220. The geometric projection may have any appropriateshape. In one embodiment, the geometric projection 240 is in the form ofa pin.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the flow restriction valveincludes valve body 400, valve support 410, valve gasket 420 and valveball 430 that is configured to restrict fluid flow through the valvewhen no filter cartridge 200 or an incorrect filter cartridge isinstalled in the filter housing 230. The geometric projection 240engages opening 460 of the valve such that the ball is prevented fromblocking the flow of fluid when a designated filter cartridge isinstalled in the filter housing. FIG. 22 depicts the geometricprojection 240 of a designated filter cartridge overlaid on the positionof the ball 430 when restricting fluid flow through the valve, showingthat the geometric projection 240 physically prevents the ball 130 fromrestricting fluid flow out of the filter system when a designated filtercartridge is present.

As shown in FIG. 23, for example, the valve body 400 may includeprojections 480. The projections may engage the filter housing cover 220to attach the flow restriction valve to the filter housing cover. Theprojections 480 may be configured to produce a snap fit connection ofthe valve body 400 to the filter housing cover 220.

As shown in FIG. 25, the valve body 400 may include a fluid flow opening440. The valve body 400 may contain any suitable number of fluid flowopenings. The valve body 400 may include two fluid flow openings 440.The fluid flow openings may be separated by one or more ribs 490. In oneembodiment, two fluid flow openings 440 are separated by a rib 490. Therib 490 may be configured to prevent the valve ball 430 from passingthrough or extending too far in to the fluid flow openings. In anotherembodiment, the rib 490 may be configured to prevent the valve ball fromblocking the entirety of the fluid flow openings 440.

As shown in FIG. 24, the valve gasket 420 may have a shape keyed to theshape of the valve support 410. The valve gasket 420 may protrude beyondthe upper surface of the valve body 400 and valve support 410. Theprotruding portion of the valve gasket 420 may seal against the filterhousing cover, producing a fluid tight seal.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fluid filter system is a fuelfilter system. In a more particular embodiment, the filter system is adiesel fuel filter system that removes contaminants from the fuel beforethe fuel reaches a protected system. In one embodiment the contaminantis water. The protected system may be a fuel injection pump and fuelinjectors. In another embodiment, the fluid filter system may be appliedto filter any suitable fluid including lubricants, hydraulic oil andair.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thevarious exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Forexample, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any processor method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissionsmay also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement ofthe various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter system comprising: a designated filtercartridge including a geometric projection therein; and a filtercartridge housing; a filter cartridge housing cover; and a valve thatcontrols fluid flow out of the filter system, the valve comprising: avalve support; a valve body including at least one valve body projectionattaching the valve body to the valve support; and a valve ball disposedbetween the valve body and the valve support; wherein the valvecomprises an opening keyed to the geometric projection such that thegeometric projection engages the opening and actuates the valve.
 2. Thefilter system of claim 1, wherein the valve support comprises aplurality of valve support projections each having an enlarged end, eachenlarged end fitting over a corresponding feature of the filtercartridge housing cover, thereby attaching the valve support to thefilter housing cover.
 3. The filter system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one valve body projection comprises a plurality of valve bodyprojections, each of the plurality of valve body projections fittingover a corresponding feature of the valve support.
 4. The filter systemof claim 1, wherein the valve body includes at least one bypass opening,the at least one bypass opening permitting fluid to pass through thevalve when no filter cartridge or an incorrect filter cartridge isinstalled.
 5. The filter system of claim 4, wherein the at least onebypass opening comprises three bypass openings evenly spaced around aperimeter of the valve body.
 6. The filter system of claim 1, whereinthe valve further comprises a valve gasket, the valve gasket including apassage keyed to the valve ball such that the valve ball may restrictfluid flow through the passage.
 7. The filter system of claim 1, whereinthe valve further comprises a valve gasket, the valve gasket comprisinga flange preventing the valve gasket from passing completely through avalve support opening in the valve support.
 8. The filter system ofclaim 7, wherein the valve gasket further comprising a ridge securingthe valve gasket to the valve support.
 9. The filter system of claim 8,wherein the ridge engages the valve support in a snap fit connection.10. The filter system of claim 1, wherein the valve body includes aplurality of fluid flow openings separated from each other by at leastone rib, the at least one rib configured so as to prevent the valve ballfrom passing through a respective fluid flow opening.
 11. The filtersystem of claim 1, wherein the valve support opening is formed in asurface of the valve support that extends at an angle oblique to alongitudinal axis of the valve support.
 12. The filter system of claim11, wherein the valve support may include a void area between aperipheral wall of the valve support and the surface of the valvesupport in which the valve support opening is formed.
 13. The filtersystem of claim 1, further comprising a sealing element engaging anouter surface of the valve support, the sealing element providing afluid seal between the valve support and the filter housing cover.
 14. Afilter system comprising: a filter cartridge housing; a filter cartridgehousing cover coupled to the filter cartridge housing; and a valve thatcontrols fluid flow out of the filter system, the valve comprising: avalve support including at least one valve support projection attachingthe valve support to the filter housing cover; a valve body including atleast one valve body projection attaching the valve body to the valvesupport; and a valve ball disposed between the valve body and the valvesupport; wherein the valve comprises an opening keyed to a geometricprojection of a designated filter cartridge such that, when thedesignated filter cartridge is installed in the filter cartridge housingassembly, the geometric projection engages the opening and actuates thevalve.
 15. The filter system of claim 14, wherein the at least one valvesupport projection comprises a plurality of valve support projectionseach having an enlarged end, each enlarged end fitting over acorresponding feature of the filter cartridge housing cover.
 16. Thefilter system housing assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least onevalve body projection comprises a plurality of valve body projections,each of the plurality of valve body projections fitting over acorresponding feature of the valve support.
 17. The filter systemhousing assembly of claim 14, wherein the valve body includes at leastone bypass opening, the at least one bypass opening permitting fluid topass through the valve when no filter cartridge or an incorrect filtercartridge is installed.
 18. The filter system of claim 14, wherein thevalve body includes a plurality of fluid flow openings separated fromeach other by at least one rib, the at least one rib configured so as toprevent the valve ball from passing through a respective fluid flowopening.
 19. An installation method for a filter system, comprising:providing a designated filter cartridge, the designated filter cartridgecomprising: an end plate; a geometric projection extending from the endplate; and a filter media; installing the designated filter cartridgewithin a filter cartridge housing assembly, the filter cartridge housingassembly comprising: a filter cartridge housing; a filter cartridgehousing cover coupled to the filter cartridge housing; and a valve thatcontrols fluid flow out of the filter system, the valve comprising: avalve support including at least one valve support projection attachingthe valve support to the filter housing cover; a valve body including atleast one valve body projection attaching the valve body to the valvesupport; and a valve ball disposed between the valve body and the valvesupport; and via the installation of the designated filter cartridgewithin the filter cartridge housing assembly, engaging the geometricprojection of the designated filter cartridge with an opening in thevalve that is keyed to the geometric projection of the geometricprojection of the designated filter cartridge, thereby actuating thevalve.
 20. The installation method of claim 19, wherein the opening inthe valve is formed within the valve body.